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U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn
After about 13 years of being under the watchful eye of the federal government, the Detroit Police Department, which had its fair share of problems over the years, including questionable treatment of citizens during arrests and detention, is officially free of federal oversight.
U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn signed an order Thursday officially ending oversight by the Justice Department and the court.
In August 2014, Cohn granted a joint request by the Justice Department and city to end a consent judgment that had a independent monitor watching over the department and addressing concerns of unconstitutional behavior that included allegations of excessive force, false arrests and illegal detentions.
"The parties agree that the original concerns about officer-involved shootings and witness detentions that led to the consent judgment have been remedied," Cohn wrote at the time, adding that the independent monitor found 90 percent overall compliance with the consent judgment.
As a result, Cohn ordered an 18-month transition period in which the Justice Department maintained oversight of the department's "ongoing reform efforts without the direct oversight of the independent monitor."
On Thursday, Cohn wrote that the city had successfully completed the transition period and ended it all.
"We are very pleased by Judge Cohn's approval and the hard work and efforts put forth by the men and women of the Detroit Police Department," said Detroit Police Sgt. Michael Woody. "It has been a humbling experience and we look forward to a trusting and honest relationship with the community we serve."
